After a collision with a large commercial truck on a busy road, determining fault can feel impossible. The trucking company and its driver may offer a version of events that conflicts with your memory.
Fortunately, many modern trucks contain an Event Data Recorder (EDR) or black box. This device can capture objective information about the crash, allowing it to store crucial evidence for those hurt in these incidents.
What can a black box record?
An EDR acts like a vehicle’s memory. It not only records the whole trip, but it also saves data if it senses a crash or a sudden, jarring stop. It captures a detailed picture seconds before and during a wreck, showing exactly how the driver was handling the vehicle. This includes:
- Speed: Exactly how fast the truck was moving
- Brakes and gas: If the driver stepped on the brake or kept their foot on the gas
- Steering: Which way the driver turned the wheel to try to avoid the hit.
- Safety gear: Whether seatbelts were buckled and when the airbags went off
This data is like an honest witness that never forgets. If a driver claims they tried to stop but the box shows they never hit the brakes, it provides clear proof of what really happened. This makes it much easier for experts to figure out who was at fault.
Preserve valuable evidence after a truck accident
Unfortunately, drivers can overwrite or destroy black box data after a truck accident. To prevent the loss of this crucial evidence, you can send a preservation letter to the trucking company immediately. This legal notice demands that they preserve the truck’s EDR so you can use it in your personal injury claim.